We are so ridiculous

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ idols are supposed to be smiling, inspirational people. They're not supposed to be sitting in their dressing room, sifting listlessly through a script, head lowered and eyes dark.

She'd known. She'd known, the first time he'd run off with her hand in his, that the smartest thing was to enjoy that one day out with him and get back to work. She shouldn't have asked to see more of him. She shouldn't have let herself get swept away, knowing the agency didn't approve of the influence of one special effects artist. They'd banned him from the building, threatening worse if he persisted.

And it was back to dreary days. Not that Kohei hadn't occasionally made his way in, regardless, but it was getting riskier, the schedules were getting more packed, and Rise was getting more and more worried. ]

How'd it get like this...?

Comments

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ no, it's fine, she's only going to THROW THE TRASHCAN AT HIS HEAD. ]

What do you think you're doing?

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ Now he breaks character fully, backing away with his hands held up to show he means no harm ]

Easy Rise! Don't brain me with that thing!

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Wh-- [ and she recognizes that voice, eyes widening, voice a little louder than it needs to be. ]

Kohei?!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He lunges forward, clamping a hand over her mouth ] Sssh! Are you trying to get me thrown out?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ whatever she's trying to say is muffled, but it's pretty obvious she wants to know what the hell he's doing there. She has to resort to suspicious staring. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ The look on his face softens, and he gives a sheepish grin. Very slowly, he pulls his hand away. ] I had to come see you again.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

You idiot-- [ she lowers her voice almost immediately, shaking her head almost frantically. ] Kohei, you can't be here-- you know that!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Like that's stopped me before.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

I'm serious! They've gotten loads worse with security-- if they catch you, I won't be able to help!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Then I just have to make sure I don't get caught. [ he says that like it's the simplest thing in the world. ]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ rather than answer, she merely points at the door. He doesn't get it; he wasn't there, sinking into a chair while the agency told her in no uncertain words exactly what would happen to him, to his work, if he 'interfered with Risette' again. ]

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

[ He stands his ground. ] Only if you come with me.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

N-no.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... Why not?

[restardom.livejournal.com]

Maybe you haven't seen my schedule yet, but there's no space in there for running off.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

I'm not blind. You're miserable. I can see it.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

I'm fine. You don't need to do this!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

You're not fine! They're working you to death, and that's not fair!

[restardom.livejournal.com]

This isn't your problem!

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Yes it is. You're my friend, Rise. I worry about you.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... I'm not worried about me right now, Kohei.

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

... I've been through worse, Rise. Honest. All that matters right now is you.

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ she starts to say something then stops, slowly lowering her gaze to her feet. ]

Do you think that makes me feel any better?

[workisplay.livejournal.com]

Hey. Look at me. [ he cups her chin in his hand, trying to raise her gaze ]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

... [ up it comes, albeit reluctantly. For just a few seconds, her eyes lock onto his, before she has to glance away again. ]